Stock muster permits have been issued and graziers have until October 6 2024 to remove their branded cattle from Cape York national parks and Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land (CYPAL).
The Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI has been working with graziers across the region since early February in preparation for this year's muster and feral cattle management program.
DESI began issuing muster permits in July to facilitate the removal of branded cattle from Cape York national parks.
The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) and Aboriginal Land Trust rangers conducted inspections throughout the mustering period to ensure graziers complied with the terms and conditions of their permits.
QPWS, with the assistance of the Queensland Police Service Stock Squad, oversaw potential ownership issues and consulted with the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries on potential biosecurity issues during the muster period.
The seizure period from 15 September to 6 October is now in place. Any remaining cattle in the national parks have been seized by QPWS.
This will allow Traditional Owners and Aboriginal Land Trust rangers to muster unbranded cattle for commercial sale, with the proceeds going directly into the management of the national parks.
Landowners who wish to make a final claim on livestock in the national parks are advised to provide a written claim to DESI to obtain a short-term stock muster permit.
Cape York Manager Nick Smith said the QPWS feral cattle management program would begin in CYPAL national parks later this year.
"The management program will target the remaining unbranded cleanskin cattle and feral pigs in the national parks," Mr Smith said.
"Cattle can cause extensive damage to the natural and cultural values of our national parks by trampling vegetation, impacting on water bodies and competing with native animals for food.
"It is estimated that cattle populations can increase by around forty per cent annually, and our management program has the support of landholders, DAF, environmental groups and Traditional Owners.
"The QPWS encourages neighbouring landholders who have not yet applied for a mustering permit to discuss cattle management with their local Ranger in Charge."
Feral cattle management programs were not conducted in CYPAL national parks in 2023. During the 2021 feral cattle management program, 4009 feral cattle were removed from CYPAL national parks, with 241 removed in 2022.
Mustering permits are available online
